The news on Canada easing travel requirements for Malaysians recently has sparked excitement with many people believing Malaysians can now enter Canada visa-free. But the situation is more complicated.
On 25th May 2026, Lena Metlege Diab has announced that eligible Malaysians and Indonesians can apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) instead of full visitor visa when flying to Canada. While this is faster and cheaper travel process for Malaysians, the new system applies to those who fits the requirements.
Who Can Apply For eTA?
Malaysians must have at least one of these requirements which is previously held a Canadian temporary resident visa within the last 10 years or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
Canada’s immigration authorities calls these travellers as “known travellers”, which means they have already undergone immigration screenings before.
The eTA costs CAD7 (around RM20), which is approved within minutes and remains valid to 5 years.
Most Malaysians Still Need A Full Visa
For Malaysians who do not meet the requirements above, the standard Canadian visitor visa process still applies based on an online application through Canada’s IRCC portal, a CAD100 visa fee and CAD85 biometrics fee, and appointment at the VFS Global centre in Kuala Lumpur and processing times that may take several weeks.
Travelers are advised to apply for this 8 weeks before their travel date.
Air Travel Only
eTA is only applied to travelers who is entering Canada by air. Those who travels by land or sea will still need a regulator visitor visa, even if they qualify for the eTA system. While this announcement does make travelling easy for some Malaysians, it does not mean Canada has completely removed visa requirements.
Sources: SAYS
